Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1887-04-14
JOSEPH MADE KNOWN.
CRITICAL AND PRACTICAL NOTES
BY PROF. SAMUEL l. CURTISS.

CRITICAL AND PRACTICAL NOTES
BY PROF. SAMUEL !. cURTIsS.
Lesson III of the International Series.
Second Quarter, for Sunday, April IL.
Text Of the Lesson, Genesis XIV, LIS.
Golden Text, Romans xii, FL.
We may regard the famine in Egypt as a
part of Gods plan for bringing the children
Of Israel thither. Israel was to be in Gods
school. Part of Israels education was to be
in Egypt, the university of ancient civiliza-
ton; part was to be in the wilderness under
Gods immediate tuition through his ap-
pointed servants
Jacob and his sons were in want of food
tGen. xiii, 1, o. He sent them to Egypt, but
kept back Benjamin, his youngest son.
Joseph recognized his brethren, but they did
not recognize him. As he did not see Benja-
min with them, he might wei fear that he
too had suffered violence at their hands. He
put them therefore to the test in way COM
mon in the east by charging them with being
spies (Gen. xiii, 81. The truth came out in
regard to the family, that they had younger
brother. Joseph then told them that they
should not see his face again unless they
brought that brother with them and required
them to leave Simeon as hostage ". "a.
Then it was that they spoke of the wrong
that they had done to Joseph in his presence.
They departed with a supply Of food, but
each found to his dismay the money which
he had paid in the mouth Of his
sack. They tell their father the news
and he reproaches them for betraying
the confidence of the family, and declares
that Benjamin shall not go down with them.
But at last constrained by their failing
supply of food and the assurances of Judah,
he sends them with present and double
money. They are graciously received, are
invited to dine with Joseph, who is deeply
moved when he sees Benjamin Gen. xiii, %,
so. After the feasting they are subjected to
one more trial At Joseph's command their
money is returned again and his cup is put
in the mouth of Benjamin's sack (Gen. xiv,
l, g. Soon after they have left they are
hotly pursued by Josephs steward, who re-
proaches them for having stolen his masters
cup. They protest that they are innocent,
and declare that whoever of them has the
cup shall be Joseph's shave. He examines all
the sacks and finds the cup in Benjamins.
They rend their clothes and return. Judah
becomes their spokesman. With rare pathos
Joseph (Gen. Xiv, 1884, who only by the
utmost self command (Gen. xiii, "a; xiii, 80,
81 had succeeded in putting them to a test
which seems harsh and unfeeling, but which
was necessary to show that they are entirely
different men from what they once were.
THE LESSON.
Joseph Alone with His Brothers Tvs 1, g.
Joseph can no longer control his feelings,
L l.
met his brothers and which are now raised to
the highest pitch. He commands every one
to go out but his brethren, and then breaks
out in the loud weeping which is characters
tic of Orientals Ex xii, 90. The sound of
his voice even reaches the court of Pharaoh.
V. 8. With simplicity and tenderness born
Of true affection, he lays aside every barrier
which exists between him and them on &C
count Of his exalted position, and says, II am
Joseph; doth my father yet liver They
cannot answer him. The bitter memory of
the hour is before them when, twenty years
ago, that game Joseph had pleaded for his
life and when they had rudely thrust him into
the pit. Now they see before them the ruler
Of Egypt, who has power to put them to death
in moment They stand therefore utterly
confounded before him.
VS. l. 5. But JOSEPH puts himself on the
same level with them, bidding them to come
near him, and says: Il am Joseph, your
brother, whom ye sold into Egypt" He does
not remind them of what they have done to
cause them pain, but rather to identify him.
self In the most generous and comforting
way he assures them three times that after
all it was God who had sent him to Egypt to
preserve life. Compare vs.. Z, 81
God Rules Tvs. 6-S).-These verses clearly
teach two things: l. God has plan with re-
gard to the government Of this world. 2.
That all things are made subservient to the
best interests of his people and the progress Of
his kingdom. The act Of Joseph's brethren in
selling him was most base, and brought on
them much suffering; but God overruled it in
such a way that it worked harmoniously with
his plan. From worldly point of view, it
was most Insignificant event when the sons
of Israel came to Egypt. They were but a
mere handful Of ignorant shepherds in COM
parison with the wealthy and learned Egyp-
tians Joseph might wed have considered
that his great work was to provide for the
Egyptians; but he recognized that he had
higher calling in providing for the people Of
redemption that was yet to be.
When he speaks of himself as q father to
Pharaoh he uses an expression which would
he was Pharaohs prime minister, as we should
say in modern phrase. 1t is interesting to see
that he occupied relatively the same position
with reference to Pharaoh that he had
with regard to Potiphar and in the prison,
thus showing that the same traits which make
a man faithful and successful in a humble
position will make him so in an exalted one
Joseph's Love for his Father Tvs 9-13 These
verses exhibit the tenderest ilial love. The
thought does not enter his mind that his old
father may disgrace him, and that the Egyp-
tians may think less of him because Of his
relationship to these shepherds, whom they
would not regard with favor on account Of
their occupation (Gen. Xvi, 34. His only
thought is to have his father come as soon as
possible that he may take care of him in his
old age in Goshen, which was in the most
fruitful part of Egypt. He alludes to his
high position in Egypt, not in any boastful
spirit, but because he thinks it will make his
father happy to hear of his success.
Love Opens the Way Tvs. II, 15).-First he
embraces his own brother Benjamin, and
then kissed all the rest of them, while his
tears flow freely in the joy of that hour. His
brethren, who until this time have been dumb
with fear and amazement, under these dem
onstrations of affection are now able to speak
with him. The perfect love of their brother
has cast out fear.
POINTS TO BE REMEMBERED.
/. God cannot treat US with favor until we
give evidence of true repentance, like Joseph's
brethren.
2 God loves the sinner while he hates the
sin. The stern Judge becomes a loving
Father to every returning penitent
s. He that is faithful in that which is least
is faithful also in much.
l. We should treat parents with reverence
and affection, although they may occupy an
inferior social position
s. The most ready way TO reach men for
Christ is first to win their confidence by speak
ing to their hearts.-Sunday School World.
The Sacrihcial Car.
In Asia the people throw themselves under
the wheels OF Moloch. In America we ride
Of tha rata of sixtv miles an hOur alOnPsidA